Postiga says ATK on track for ISL semis berth

Atletico de Kolkata's (ATK) marquee footballer Helder Postiga believes they are on track for a semi-final berth and focussed to win against Kerala Blasters in a crunch Indian Super League (ISL) match on Tuesday.

"The situation is comfortable for us. The team is playing well to keep us in way for qualification for playoffs," Postiga told reporters here on Monday on the eve of ATK's home tie against Kerala.

The match will be played between the two evenly placed sides. ATK are third in the points table, with 18 points from 12 matches, just above their opponents on goal difference.

A win will ensure movement to the second spot and in a relatively safety zone in their aim to qualify for the last-four.

"Tomorrow we will have a difficult game. Our aim is to win. Always ATK enter in the game to win. This is our target. We are playing against one good team and it's not always possible. But we will give our best," the Portugal international said.

ATK coach Jose Molina has rotated his offensive players frequently in matches with Postiga paired up with either Iain Hume or Juan Belencoso upfront.

Asked whether its difficult to combine with the two strikers separately on a consistent basis, Postiga said, "You're talking about two fantastic players. The coach will decide who I play with. To me most important is the team and not players. And you're talking about clever and intelligent players so not too difficult."

Molina said that Kerala are a force to reckon with now after their initial jitters when, in his observation, Steve Coppell's team were playing too many long balls.

"Kerala started to play in the beginning long balls now they are playing with more possession and counter attacks. In the beginning they suffer two defeats now they are inside top four. It will be a tough match. Bur we have improved too. We will try to win," he said.

ATK will go into the match fretting over influential midfielder Sameehg Doutie availability and niggles to Henrique Sereno and Bidyananda Singh.

"Some players are doubtful. Doutie is one of them. Yesterday he had fever. We have Bidya (Bidyananda Singh), (Henrique) Sereno also injured."

--IANS

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